Cigar machine trimming and knurling mechanism



C. OLSSON `GIGAR MACHINE TRIMMING AND nKNURLING ,MECHANISM -Fled May 29l F1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1` Jan.' 2, V19,45. c. QLSSON 2,366,211

CIGAR MACHINETRIMMINQ AND KNURLING MEcHANIsM Filed May 29 19111V 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR CARL OLSSON- BYMYM? A'ITORN EY Patented Jan. 2, 1945 ENT OFFICE oIGAR MACHINETRIMMING AND f KNURLING MEcnANIsM Carl Olsson,` Brooklyn, N. Y., `assigmor to Inter;-

ration of New Jersey national CigarMachinery Company, a corpp Applicationivray 29, 19412 serialno. 395,798

19 clanes. (crier-zw" `This invention relates to cigar machines, and..r

more particularly i to mechanism for: removing` trimmed cigar ends and chips of tobacco from either the knurler or trimming knives or lboth in order to preventdeposits `of` tobaccowaste, which might causepossible damage `to `cigars being han@` dled, from building up thereon.

In the formation of certain typesA of cigars :ini which bothvendsare trimmed, itis found advisa- 4 ble to knurl the head ends thereof in order to seal.

the `wrapper and binder relative to the filler, .and restore the shape of the head end, viffvfdistorted,` by the trimmers. However, because of Athe'trimi-` ming operations on the ends of each cigar proc essed, small trimmed `01T end` portions=.willibez formed, and chips and small. particles ofr tobacco nismfor cleaning theknurling device which operates upon the head e'ndsiofcigars.` l l The invention `lalscconsists-in the provision of lriechanismfon-trimmingand` knurling cigar ends andrforcleaningtthese mechanisms by the use'of` compressed air aftery each hasper'formed its designed functions. i i `An added object of mylinvention is to provide a .-fiag pump blowecft mechanism, `conduct corn-y pressed air therefrom and. direct it upon the cigar endA iinishing `:knurler for removing therefrom may be present at the trimming zones. Since the trimmed ofi ends usually have some paste,- and tobacco contains sticky substancessuch as;` gum, there is a tendencyfor thetrimrned oil pore. tions and waste tobacco to stick and cling Jto the, knurler andtrimmers orbe transferred` from the; headend trimmer to the knurler andwbuld up; thereon. `As 'a result of accumulationsfof tuba-cca` on the knurler, its cigar end smoothmgzsurfaces become bumpyA andA uneven` and may; thereby` cause tearing of the Wrappers and/orlbinders adjacent the trimmed 'head ends, or evenY cause-the; ends to be` broken down or distorted. if Accordingly it` is the main object of` my invention to. provide means for trimm-ing theends offcigars;

- and removing cut` oil tobacco endportions andchips of tobacco tendingto adhere to, and accumulate on either theiknurler orftri'mmers or It is a further object oil my invention-to pro-1` vide means for 'directing la cleaning-fluidaupon` the surfaces of one or more of thememberswhich complete the fabrication of the ends of cigars` in order to insure against damage `to the cigars being:

handled.

`My invention also consists in tion for several purposes such as blowing the flag; end` of a wrapper froma wrapper` carrierof ail cigar machine, and expelling from `cigar endl` manipuIating devices` small particles ohtobaccc `a source of fluidunder pressure, `suchy as com?,`

pressed air, for blowingfthe flag end ofwrappersfrom a wrapper carrier, and` use` a part. ofthisvv fluid` in conjunction With timedcoacting mecha-L,

` the ,provision off,v l `means for providing, a blast of air ofshort durabeen transferred from` the `Wrapping mechanism,

particlesrand Waste portions? of` tobacco tending toclingtl'iereto;v :t .l 1 My invention ialso `consists 'in the Aprovision of mechanism `for :controllingnthef'operation of the` trimming `lcnivesfandsrknurler so that at substan-` tially.:` the samewinstantzan air blast issues from theiag blow-oft nozzle to expel `the flag. end oi a wrapper from the `Wrapper carrier, the ;trim," ming knivesand knurler areilocated in their inoperative positions: andr aicleaning air blastV `is directed upon either-or` both to effect'the removal ofsmall `particles or pieces of `tobacco tending to` clingV to-'andbuild-unupon they knives and knurler..` r i" -i i A ,With these and other objectsnot specifically mentioned in view-the invention consists in cer. tain combinations and4 constructions which will be hereinafterfully described; and then set forth infthe claims hereunto appended. Inthefaccompanying,drawings which form a part of `this specificatipn` and wherein therseveral referenceg'characters designate vthe same or like elements: v. lig@ l M i "Figure-l is a;A partial;` sectionalelevation showing the subject .of` this `invention installed in the rerolling unit ofa cigarmachine;` Y p,

FigureZ is a detached detail, to alarger scale, atfthe nozzle end of the device;`

Fig-ure 3 isa sectionaluview taken on line 3--3` offFigure-2;-

Figure` 4 is an end mechanism; l.

detail ofthe trimmer operating mechanism; and

`Figure 6is` `a line,6`6. l. i p Referring ,tothe drawings which show a preferred foi-mrofmy inventiom` a `cigarC is shown held by` gripper ngers. I5f and` I6 after having designated; generally'at, W `fbya suitable transf-er device 'I.to;rerollingdrum` lziin amanner similar to that described in 'co-pending patent applica` tion, Serial No. 183,405-,liled January 5, 1938, by

view of the `knife operating `plan viewofgwthe same detail on by fingers I and I6 it passes between ,two pairs,

of trimming knives I1, I8 and |22, |23, which, at this time, are spread apart to allow the untrimmed cigar C to clear (Figure 1).

The knurler |4, which also functions as a cigar locator, now advances and contacts the head end of the cigar C and pushes it axially to locate it in a predetermined position where it is acted upon by the trimming knives I1, I8 and |22, |23 which are then moved to trimming location as -shown in dotted lines in Figures 1 and 2. Each cigar is gripped lightly in grippers I5, IBduring the cigar locating operation, and then held rm- 1y therein during the trimming and final knurl- The trimmers are normally held some distance away from the ends of rolling drum I2, but after the cigar to be treated has been located, are moved into trimming position and then close upon the ends of the cigar projecting through the knives to trim them as desired. Since the operatl ing means for the knives are both the same but 'one will be described.

Knives |22, |23 are mounted on a flanged sleeve 95 loose on shaft 95 supported on bearing block 31 and in a bearing 91 of housing II. On sleeve v95 are also mounted aflanged collar 98 carrying a coil spring 99 and a collar |00,` the members |22, |23, 95 and 98 being clamped together by nuts |0I screwed against a spring washer |02 on sleeve 95. The collar |00 in the bottom of its periphery has a radial hole into which loosely fits a pin |03 carried at the end of an arm L|04 pivoted on a stud |25 adjustable in the slot I06a of a bar |06 fastened to block 31 and housing II. Arm |04 has a follower |01 engaging with an adjustably mounted drum cam |24 on shaft 24, which shaft has oneend mounted in a bearing abutment on housing I I and its other end suitably supported and driven by mechanism (not shown) similar to that disclosed -in co-pending Wheeler application, Serial No.

189,300. Cam |24 is provided with a set screw I24a adapted to coact with slot |24b to secure the camd in adjusted position. When portion |26 of cam |24 engages folloWe'r`I01, arm |04 moves the trimmers from full to dotted line or cutting position. The location of knives |22, |23 or I1,A

I'8 can be varied for any cigar'merely by adjusting the position of cams |24 or adjusting the fulcrum of levers |04 in bars |06. If much adjusting is necessary, both of the above mentioned adjustments must be made. An elongated cam III engages with projections having cam followers |09 and ||0 on thevknives for opening and closing them upon cigar ends at the proper time by means of a crank arm I I3 fixed to an end of cam II connected to linkv I|4 connected to a lever ||5 mounted on pivot I| 6 in an abutment ||1 and provided with a cam follower |I8 operating in a cam track I9 of a cam 26, all in a manner similar to that shown in the above'referred to Wheeler application, Serial No. 189,300.

The cigar locator and knurler I4 is carried by keyway56 and a key 51 connecting it to and permitting axial movement of shaft 2,3, after the same general arrangement as shown in co-pendl ing Wheeler application, Serial No. 189,300, above referred to.

1 is pivoted at |5I and its lower arm |52 is con- The roller |56 rests on the high portion of cam I 51 .while the cigar C is being rerolled by drum I2. As the cigar is delivered to the grippers yI5 and I6, the roller |56 enters the depression |59 ofthe cam thereby permitting the spring 50 to advance the knurler |4 to a predetermined position governed by the depth of the depression |59.

The trimming knives |1, |8 and |22, |23, in the meantime, have moved into the dotted line positions of Figures 1 and 2 and as the cam roller |56 rides out of depression |59, thus withdrawing the knurler I4, the knives I1, I8 and |22, |23 will close upon and trim thetwo projecting ends of the cigar C.

During this operation roller |56 has been rid- Y ing on the high portion |60 0f cam |51, but as the knives I1, I8l and I 22, |23 open, the roller |56 descends to the low portion 6| of cam |51 thus permitting spring 50l to again advance the knurler I4 and perform the final knurling operation, the cigar atl this time, being held rmly in the gripper fingers I5 and I6. Cam |51 is fixed to rotating shaft |58 driven in any suitable manner from the main shaft of the machine. A sprocket |83, also carried by shaft |58, through chain |84 and sprocket |85 mounted onvshaft |8| rotates cam |18 for purposes described hereinbelow. lAn adjustable stop screw I85a coacts with'an extension |52a of lever arm I 52 in case it is desired to control the amount of forward advance of knurler I4 up to the full distance allowed by depressed portion IBI of cam |51.

As the follower |56 rides upon the high portion |62 of cam |51, the knurler is withdrawn and the knives I1, 8 and I 22, |23 are moved into their l'ulll line positions clearing the way for the de livery of the next cigar from the rerolling drum |2 for locating, trimming and knurling after the gripper fingers I5 and I6' have released the cigar C for discharge therefrom.

As a result of the trimming operations and knurler movements, small trimmed off portions Will be formed'and 'chips or small pieces of tobacco may be present and tend t0 stick or cling to either the knurler I4 or trimmers I1, I8 and |22, |23, or both. This is due largely `to the fact that tobacco contains sticky4 materials, such as gum, and also because of paste which is placed on l a wrapper prior to its being applied to a bunch at the wrapping unit W. Iffthis waste is allowed to adhere to or build up on the knurler and/or trimmers, it will cause damage to subsequent cigars treated thereby. For instance, particles of tobacco on vthe knife blades will` prevent even cutting and tend to dull them. Also, with respect to the knurler |4, the presence of tobacco or waste rclinging or adhering to the smoothing surface or knurling surfaces thereof will cause DOssible tearing or rupturing of the ends of cigars be- The lever |50 carries a roller 46 `which engages collar 45 on shaft 23. Lever |50 l ss'tb trimmedj ends of'icigarsiffthey become torted Aany "manner during the trimming ovicled 'for') effecting "the` positive removal of mined offends' and preventing"accumulations 'iin stetobacco, jnes; "and the like from buildmg'upon'the knuler and/or trimmersi Inj 'the'mchaiiisrn--snownfinYFigure 1, an air-- compressori pump LP supplies air to' a reservoir R ff omvvhich itjisledby apipe |63mounted in a h llufstandardllaG xedto the machine frame a valve] '|54`. "A nozzle |65" is fixed to thetop `:of

of` the ,Wrapper` leaf transfer in order to release the fia-g ernd of a 'Wrapper at the proper time when itis tobefapplie'd toi' aburich in thevvrapping mechanism' W. "Thismechanisrn may -be ofthe ovvever,` since the speciiic nozzle 65 and suction v head', |66 form no part of `this invention, further f'fgi'escriptionl and showing is deemedl unnecessary.

" Tofthe top of nozzle |65 isc-onnected'in anydea'l;

`siredmarmer a @wenn sumas a nexiblehose l e1 lflco Wpled to a second conduit |63 havinga'dis- |23 and j charge opening adjacentI knives |22, ln`urle`rv Mpreferablyin their retracted positions [for Waste "removal after, the operation lof one ora ,both as will appear hereinafter;

`Arached tdvaive stem nu ,'ected by a `link |12 tocamdever |13 pivoted on L`."`shaft |14; cam follower |15 carried by arm H5 oftlevel." V|13 urged by" spring ITI-suitably# iiXed to the machinetable and arm |13 to track 1 n"|"|8'. Byf rri'eans of "this" structure,` Whenever lliijtlsievalvestem will `turn anfdjadmita ast of"`air to nozzle155andhoseandfpipe line I, |53 `vvhiclri direct the blastl through1 nozzles 'l 88j, i B2 `u'ponithe "operating surfaces of Aknives ,"123 and knur er ij4"`thereby effectinga positive "removal of pieces and chips of tobacco which might' otherwise adhere 'to feither the .knives or nunercr boni.`A` i' f fdesired either of the nozzles might be omitted fin`tvhicljcase'jthfe fluid blast would be conducted nly "to 4thefknurlei 4 or trimming knives` 22, 23,.'` 4lis shovvn'injliigure; nozzles |80; |82are onn'eoted to supply conduitil` throughiavalve `V so that bymere' movement of handle l'lf'the "duid can nozzles,` or position"(as 'remain open and operative.`

` Located directly beneath by setting cut-off plate |89 at neutral shown inFi'gure 3)y both noz'zles may d I 1 Y the trimming mech- ,",anism isla chute |2|linto which Waste tobacco and "tipieces: fall. A` pneumatic `conduit'lZl attached thereto `may beprovided with suction for'conveyingthe sameto a Waste receptacle.

The invention" above described may be varied :injconstruction'within the scope of `the` claims, fofthe particular device, selectedto illustrate ithingmeiwfappel@ upon' a; cigar end, messa k'n'iirling is also' valuable in restoring `round- IJ erations. L"Ifherefore,` order to obviateany g and knurling "cigars," mechanismfhas beenv standard |86 for coacti'on with suctionheadir- 4salielgeneral type` as that'ShOWn in Wheelerat Mnaive; azrsgfieo, 'granted september 24; 1940 t be 'shut offrom one or the other of the supprti ferita cigail of ineansiforstrimminguthe,

" 1. Ina Vcigar machine, the combination Wit a offs'aid cigaifon` saidisupport, a knurler ,for knurlingi one-ot` saldi:vtrimmedaends,` mechanism 'formrrioving rsaid knurler `from an inoperative posi- `yti`on-i`nto`iengagement?with:saidend of said cigar Ato knuil said-trimmedlendi of isaidcigar and then l return said knurle'rl` tol inoperative ,positicri, and

f means operated iin tiInedlrelation withsaid trimf `rnin`g means: and Saidknurler `fordirecting comfsaid knurler-Whenasaid lknurler has been returned i b-to said*` inoperative position for removing there- {2.In a cigar machine, the combination with a pairoff grippers =forfholding au cigar, and knives f-Mrcrtnmminganvend of a `cigar heid by said gripj *of engagement with `said cigar for `blowing a blast of airfupon said fknurlerhtof-remove therefrom f "Waste piecesfof` tobacco deposited thereon during Ithe knurling operationi if.: i.

"3. In-ai cigar machine, a knurler, means for rotating said knurler, meansfor moving said knurler if into and out of engagementwitn an end of a cigar, 5' `means for trimming said end of said cigar, and

means located adjacent said trimming means and V `said knurlerandioperated in `timed relation there- V Withtwhen saidlknurlerthasfbeen,moved out of engagement with said end of` said cigar` for blowl ing compressed-anon said trimming means and station provided with meansfor applying .a wrapi v i means for trimmnglthe ends of said cigar, a `knurler,*means for moving: said knurlerfrom `an inoperative -positioni into and out ,of` engagement `fvviinhan endof said cigaruprior to and after said trimming operation, and means mounted for coaction with saidknurler. at. saidinoperative. position for removing` Waste tobacco tending `to adhere to said knurler as the result of said knurling operations. s i i '5. In a cigar machine having a cigar Wrapping station'.provided'vvithmeansfor applying a wrapper to' a cigar bunch; and aidevice for rerolling a cigar delivered fromwsaid station; a .pair of grippers receiving and-holding the rerolled cigar,

Vmeans `for trimming` the ends of said cigar, a

knurler, meanslfor moving `said knurlerv intoyen-v gagement with `anend ofsaid cigar to locate it in saidgrippers, `and means forloperating` Said trim- `for againmoving said knurler into engagement Witha trimmed end of saidcigar to knurl the same, and meansoperativeafter the operationiof` 'y the invention, `is but one of many possible con-g i said knurler for directingla blast of compressed 'air upon said knurler for removing therefrom any Waste tobacco tending to cling thereto as a result of saidOperatiOnS. ,l

6. In a cigar machinehaving a cigar Wrapping station provided with means for applying a Wrapper to a cigar bunch at said station, and a device for rerolling acigar-deliveredfrom saidstation;

a pair of grippers receiving said rerolled cigar,

means `for trimming. the ends ,of said cigar; a

Vknurler, means formoving said knurlerintoand l.; M ,L.,:i u l i i of said` end treating operations.

'7. In a cigar machine having a cigar Wrapping station provided With means for applying a Wrapper to a cigar bunch at said station, and a device .for rerolling a cigar delivered from said station;

l :a pair of grippers receiving said rerolled cigar, means for trimming ,thelends of said cigar, a lknurler proximate saidtrirnming means, means .for moving said knurler intojand out of engage- .Ament With an end of said cigar prior to and after :said trimming operation, and means mounted for =coacti0n with' said knurler for'directing a blast of rcompressed air upon said trimming means for re- 4:moving therefrom cut off and Waste particles of tobacco tending to adhere to said trimming means. 8. In a cigar machine having a cigar wrapping station provided with means for applying a Wrap' per to a cigar bunch at said station, a Wrapper carrier for delivering a Wrapper to said station,

` andmeans for blowing olf the flag part of the wrapper from said carrier', a knurler, means for holding .a cigar delivered .from said station for operation thereupon by said knurler, means for vmoving said knurler into and out of operative engagement with said cigar held by said holding means, means operative` after saidA knurler has first engaged anddisenga'ged said cigar end for trimming said end, said knurler moving means being operative to again move said knurler into engagement with the trimmed end of a cigar, and means operatingy simultaneously with the removal `of said ag part of said Wrapper from said carrier for blowing a blast of air uponsaid knurler for cleaning the same.

9. In a cigar machine having a Wrapping device provided With `means for applying a wrapper to a bunch in said device, and a Wrapper carrier fordelivering a Wrapper to said bunch in said `device, a cigar trimming and knurling station,

means for holding a cigar at said station, means.

for trimming aV cigar end at said trimming and knurling station, and means'operative substantially simultaneously for blowing a part of a Wrapper from said carrier at said wrapping station for application about a bunch, and for directing a blast of compressed air upon said trimming means for removing therefrom particles of tobacco tending to cling thereto as theresult of said trimming operation.y

10. In a cigar machine, a cigar trimming and lknurling station, means for holding a cigar at said station, a cigar end trimmer, a knurler,

-out of engagement with an end of said cigar prior anism to which wrapped bunches are delivered; endiinishing members coacting with said rerolling mechanism for nishing cigars, a source of supply of air, and means operative in timed re- A,lation with` the movement of said carrier for `directing air from said source' to blow the flag end of a Wrapper from said carrier, and to direct a cleaning stream upon said members toexpel therefrom Waste tobacco tending to cling thereon.

V12,. In a cigar machine, a cigar iinishing station,y a trimmer and al knurler located at said finishing station, means for imparting separate motions to said trimmer and knurler for trimming and knurling an end of each cigar delivered to said iinishing station, and'means operative in timed relation With said trimmer and knurlerfor directing a gaseous ycleaning fluid upon said trimmer and knurler after each has performed its respective functions to remove from said trimmer and knurler pieces of tobacco tending to cling thereto.

13.v In a cigar machine of the type having a Wrapping station provided With means for wrapping bunches vlocated therein, a Wrapper carrier for delivering wrappers to said bunches at said station, a cigar finishing station, a trimmer and a knurler located at said iinishing station, means for imparting separate motions to said trimmer and knurler for trimming and knurling an end of each cigar delivered from said Wrapping station to said finishing station, means for directing a cleaning fluid upon said trimmer and knurler after each has performed its respective functions, said last named means comprising a source "of supply of uid, a conduit connecting said source of supply with said Wrapper carrier for directing uid from said source of supply to .means for moving said knurler to locate said `for cleaning them of particles of tobacco tending -cigar wrapping station provided'with means for applying a Wrapper to a cigar bunch at said station, a Wrapper carrierfor delivering a Wrapper to a bunch at said station, and a rerolling mech- `Wrapping station provided with means for Wrapping bunches located therein, a Wrapper carrier for ldelivering wrappers to said bu'nches at said station, a cigar iinishing station, a trimmer and a knurler located .at said finishing station, means 'for imparting separate motions to said trimmer and knurler for trimming and knurling an end of each cigar delivered from said Wrapping station to said finishing station, means for directing a cleaning fluid uponv said trimmer and knurler after each has performed its respective functions, said last named means comprising a source of i supply of fluid, ducts positioned for coaction with -Wrapping station provided with means for Wrapping bunches located therein, a Wrapper carrier for delivering Wrappers to said bunches at said station, a cigar finishing station, a trimmer and a knurler located at said finishing station, means yfor imparting separate motions to said trimmer and knurler for trimming and knurling an' end of each 'cigar delivered from said Wrapping station to said iinishing station, means for directing a cleaning fluid upon` said trimmer and knurler after each has performed its respectiveV functions, said last named means comprising a source of supply of air, a blow-olf nozzle positioned for coaction with said carrier at said wrapasoman` ping station and ducts located` adjacent said trimmer and knurler at" said finishing station, conduits connecting said source of supply to `said blow-off nozzle and ductspand selectivemeans for operating either or both of said ducts to blow iuid4 on `said trimmers ,and/or `said knurler.

16. In a cigar machine having a cigar finishing station, a knurler adjacent said station, devices for holding a cigar for iinishing operations,`means for moving said knurler from an inoperative position into and out of engagement with said cigars While held by said devices, and mechanism operative when said knurler has been returned to said inoperative position for directing a blast of air on said knurler to removetherefrom particles of tobacco tending to adhere to said knurler, said mechanism comprising a source of supply of air, a duct adjacent said knurler, and means for dii recting air from' said sourceto said duct.

17. In a cigar machine having a iinishing station, and means for holding cigars for nishing, spaced end trimmers for trimmingthe ends of said cigars, means for moving said trimmers into and out of an operative position for engagement with said cigar ends, means for operating said trimmers when said trimmers are located in operative position, and means positioned for coaction with one o f said trimmers upon .completion of said trimming operations and the return of said trimmer to inactive position for directing a blast of air on said trimmer to remove therefrom waste Y and` particles of tobacco tending to adhere thereon. i

18. In a cigar machine having a finishing station, means for holding a cigar for finishing operations on the end of said cigar, spaced end trimmers for trimming the end of said cigar while held, a knurler cooperating with one end of said cigar for locating said cigar for trimming and for fknurling an end of said trimmed cigar, means for operating said trimmers to trim the ends of said cigar, mechanism for vmoving said knurler from an inoperative position into engagement with said endl of said cigar, first to locate said cigar in said holding means and then to` knurl said end of said located cigar and then return said `knurler to `inoperative position, `and means operatedin timed relation with said trimmers and said knurler when said knurler is in said inoperative position for directing a blast of air upon said trimmers and said knurler for removing from said trimmers and said knurler waste tobacco tending to cling thereto as a result of said trimming and knurling i operations. a 19. In a cigar machine the combination Wit i means for `holding a cigar, of a knurler, means for imparting to said knurlr a plurality of cigar 3 ,i end engaging operations including a cigar locating operationfor locating said cigar in said holding means,` anda cigar knurling operation for` knurling saidlocated cigar, and means operative` at the termination of said knurling operation for directing a blast of air upon said knurler to` `remove `therefrom Waste pieces of tobacco deposited thereon, during the knurling operation.

a CARL oLssoN. 

